DOE to merge financial apps

Over the next two years, the Energy Department will replace multiple 20-year-old financial systems with an integrated system that meets current government standards.

The single system will rely on three high-end IBM RS/6000 servers running Oracle Federal Financials software, said Michael Fraser, Energy's program manager. IBM Corp.'s global services consulting division will do the systems integration work under a $31 million, five-year contract.

Energy's financial system will use a three-tier architecture. Users will connect to the system via browser over Energy's DOENet WAN, Fraser said. The Oracle Federal Financials application has the required certification from the Joint Financial Management Improvement Program, Fraser said.